not from around here

We are the type of people who you might call outdoorsy. We enjoy being outside and when living in an area such as this, we find ourselves searching for new destinations to discover. We really like living here and have decided that we want to get to know the area well. It would be a shame if, when Kyle graduates, we move away from here having never discovered what this area has to offer. For example, Kanarra Falls , which we hiked to twice last year, is one of the most beautiful places I've seen and I highly recommend going to anyone who ventures down this direction.
This was the place we discovered yesterday.This is Kolob Reservoir. It's beautiful. It was a bit of a drive to get here and it rained the whole way, but it's a gorgeous lake. We decided that this summer we're going to camp here. There are little campsites all along the lake with fire-pits not more than 3 or 4 feet from the water. It's stunning. In fact it was so captivating that it was difficult to leave....
Literally captivating... it wasn't easy to leave.
This is our 4Runner attempting to slide down a nice little hill. Remember how I said that it was raining the whole way... well, rain leads to mud and mud leads... uh... downhill.
It was still pouring rain when we got into this little predicament. There was a sharp turn to go down the road towards the lake and when I got nervous about going Kyle tried to back-up. At that point the vehicle started to slide. We stopped the car, prayed, and tried to figure out our next move. Kyle thought it best to wait until the rain eased up so that we could make a better decision about what to do. At that point it started raining harder.While it was pouring Kyle thought that maybe he could manipulate the SUV into going the right direction down the hill. Before the rain stopped he went to take a look from the bottom of the hill to see where we would end up. When he sloshed back up the hill he said it was a no-go. The road ended quickly around another sharp turn at the bottom of the hill. It ended by running into the lake. It would have been really bad for us to have made it to the bottom of the hill.
So, we sat tight.
About 10 minutes later, the rain eased up and we were able to start the process of backing out... We unloaded our precious cargo and sat Porter and Briggs on a blanket before starting the three and a half hour process of backing out.We got stuck three times in the process and each time Kyle had to figure out new methods of getting the car unstuck. We used the tow-rope and some regular rope as a safety (no, the weight of the car isn't on those ropes... the pictures make it look worse than it was). We also used every floor-mat in the car for extra traction. The last time we got stuck, one of the back wheels was just spinning, there was no weight on the back tire to pull us out. So, Kyle jacked up the front of the car and we proceeded to build a wall of rocks under and behind the front tire in order for Kyle to back out on a level surface. It was as we were putting the last rocks into place that a guy from the DNR showed up and asked if we needed him to tow us out (it would have been helpful to have seen him three hours earlier).
But, Kyle was able to back out easily that time, and we headed home on the paved road the DNR guy showed us.
He also informed us that he frequently has to tow people out of that spot. As he stood with me watching Kyle try to pull out, he looked at me and said, "Not from around here are ya?" I told him that we had only moved here within the past couple of years. Somehow I'm guessing that it's well known by locals that there isn't a road that goes all around the lake. Something that we won't forget.
So, now I have a little more experience under my belt. I can personally recommend a visit to this stunning lake. And for those who want to venture here, I must mention that the road does not make a complete loop. You should also stop well before you hit this hill.
(just a tip from a new local)

back in the saddle

It's been an adjustment this past week as I've headed back to work. I feel like I need to spend every waking moment holding or playing with one of these two cuties. I just can't seem to get enough of them. I can't believe how big Porter is getting, and although I'll have to update in a few months for his second birthday, I want to be able to remember what he's doing right now.Porter is just a sweet little boy who is constantly entertained by...well, anything.

*His favorite thing right now seems to be fish. He loves Finding Nemo, the tanks of fish at Walmart (which we now have to visit everytime we go shopping) his goldfish crackers (I really do believe he likes them for more than just the fact that they are tasty...he goes up to the cupboard they are housed in and pulls a fish face, followed by a sweet "Pwease" repeated over and over until he gets his fish). Oh, and he has a little Nemo book that he loves to "Bwead" every day. We even went on a nice long walk the other day, and he had to carry his Nemo book with him.

*He loves to watch birds (which was what we were doing when I took the photo above). We'll go out into the backyard at night when it starts to cool down and lay on blankets and watch for the birds. There are a whole bunch of them that live in our pine tree in the back yard and they fly in and out constantly. Porter loves to lay and watch them.

*He loves to help with anything he can. He loves to help change Bridger's diaper (he gets to unfold the clean diaper, hand you wet-wipes and take the dirty diaper to the trash). He cleans up after himself when he makes a mess; and if you hand the kid a mop he'll clean the floors until the cows come home (we don't have any cows... so he stays busy for a while).

*Porter still loves to eat fruit more than anything, but he's getting much better at eating other things. He's not too picky of an eater and he seems to be doing better daily. He especially loves Captain Crunch (with the berries of course). My favorite is that he eats all of the berries first, picks them out one by one. After all the berries (or "balls" as Porter calls them) are gone, then he'll eat the rest.

*He loves to be in the water. Loves to play in his pool in the backyard and loves to take baths.

*Oh yeah, and he's got the most beautiful blue eyes and red eyelashes I have ever seen. The contrast is stunning. (see above)



And, if I'm not wrestling Porter, I get to cuddle with this little bug. Bridger is such a good baby. He eats really well (if you need evidence, just ask to see thighs this kiddo has... they're getting nice and plump).

*He sleeps even better than he eats. He'll go for 8-9 hours at night now and he doesn't cry in the middle of the night (at least not yet... I'm sure the day will come). In fact, Briggs doesn't cry much at all unless he is REALLY hungry. He's just about as content as they come.

*He loves his baths.

*He loves to be swaddled really tight when he goes to sleep. Kyle says it works like a tranquilizer. Briggs can be completely awake, swaddle him and he'll be asleep in minutes. Works like a charm.

*He likes his pacifier, but doesn't rely on it completely.

*He suffers from male-pattern baldness (as diagnosed by his pediatrician), but we have high hopes that he will make a full recovery. (His pediatrician is a funny man... came up with that one on the fly. I responded that yes he does, it's hereditary. He actually gets it from his namesake... Grampa Dime had the same problem, just not so early on in life. We both had a good long laugh).

*Bridger also gives the cutest little full body smiles I've seen, and it's not too hard to get one (or ten) out of him. He likes to smile.

I was told by many people that when I had Porter that I would look forward to going back to work by the time my maternity leave was over. I was told this again with Bridger. Those people were wrong, and they're wrong again. I love my job here at home more than my occupation. I've always loved being a nurse. It's what I've wanted to be since I was a little girl, and it definitely helps that I work with great people and really enjoy what I do.

But I love being a mom even more.

Of course, with sweeties like these running around... who wouldn't.

Maybe those people didn't have cute kids...

leftovers

For lunch today Porter wanted a taste of our fabulous rhubarb pie from last night.
I don't know if he liked it... it's a little on the tart side.He swallowed the bite and went for one more, but in the end, he opted for spaghettios.

today's random goodness

It started with 8 hours of blissful sleep. For that I must thank my sweet boys and their willingness to join me in a lovely 8 hours of sleep. I must also thank my sister-in-law Jill for sharing with us the magic routine that got Porter, and now Bridger, to sleep peacefully through the night at such a young age.
I don't know how I can ever repay you Jill. Let me know.
Then we went to Bridger's 2 month Dr.'s appointment... he's getting big.
He's now 12 lbs. 14 oz. and 23.5 inches long. He's now in the 80th percentile for his weight and the 76th percentile for his length, and the boy is solid.
He's getting too big too fast. He's already out of all newborn clothes, 0-3 month onesies and has outgrown a few of the 3 month jammies as well. He's happy and healthy and doing well. I already miss him being tiny.
When we got home from the Dr. I found this waiting for me...It's my Mother's Day gift that was delivered a little late. She's my MP3 player. Isn't she pretty? I love that she's red and tiny and that I can run with her clipped to my hip. Kyle did a good job, didn't he?
Next I made this... for dinner.It's delicious in case you were wondering. I had never tried Rhubarb pie before, but where we found loads of it growing right in our backyard I had to do something with it! I just feel bad that we only got enough for one. And don't judge me for having it for dinner. Porter got regular food. It's only Kyle and me that are the pigs. Plus, I'm starting to exercise and I'll work it off later...
Now, Kyle and I are staying up while I read Fablehaven to him.
Just a few more minutes before we put Briggs to bed and we can look forward to another full night of sleep.
It's been a good day.

catch-up

We've been all over lately. Traveled to visit Gramma and Grampa C. then took a quick trip up north to visit Gramma and Grampa M. After so much travel and a little bit of picture taking, we're back home... where we plan to stay for at least a little while.

We had lots of fun in Moab. Kyle was able to finally get back on a dirt-bike (after a much too long hiatus) and took off on a day long ride with his dad and his brothers/brother-in-law.

The women stayed home with the kids and we headed down to the rotary park. I love this park... I really wish we had one right down the street from our home.
The park has a little creek that runs right by the side of it, and that's where Aiden high-tailed it when it came into view. Aiden loves to play poohsticks (as do I) and ran straight for the bridge.(Aiden cannot be seen in this picture as he has already thrown his stick in and is watching for it on the other side)
It didn't take long however for the little boys to get interested in the water running underneath the bridge. And, since Porter is related to my mother (a woman who can't pass by a creek without soaking her feet in it) he trudged on in to the cool rushing water.
He didn't want to get out. The water was pretty cold and he kept falling in when he would lose his balance, but he didn't care.
This kid is at home in the water.

Porter also had a lot of fun playing with Drew. Drew is one of Porter's favorite uncles. Porter will drag Drew around and the nicest part is ... Drew follows. It doesn't matter if it's the 9 hundredth time that Porter has dragged him upstairs to see the turtle, or out back to see the bunnies, Drew follows. He's a good uncle.Drew got sick this trip though, and since Porter loves Drew and follows him everywhere, Porter got sick too. Porter started running a fever and got really clingy the day we headed home from Moab. And in the car on the way home, his tummy decided that it had had enough.
Strapped in his car seat he let it go. I have never had to deal with this problem, and sadly, I don't think there is good way to take care of this situation. For anyone who has a child throwing up in the back of the car at 11 o'clock at night on a windy mountain road, I can only imagine that the scene plays out in the same way.

Child vomits while strapped in car seat and cannot move, causing child to cry. Child must sit in vomit while car gets stopped and meanwhile momma starts crying.
Child gets removed from the backseat, pulling momma into a slimy bear-hug.
Child is sat on the back bumper of the SUV while stripped down to his skivvies. Momma cleans child off with the only resource she has... cold wet wipes. The wind is blowing, making the naked wet child very cold.
Naked child cries more. Momma cries more.
Momma dresses naked child and hands him to Daddy.
Momma now strips down to her skivvies. (If lucky, momma has clothes to change into as well... as happened in my story).
Ride resumes with two sniffling passengers and a lingering smell in the cab. It's a very sad situation.
A similar incident occured a few days later, but during the day when it was not so cold and not so much vomit and momma got away without a touch of vomit on her clothes (well, maybe just a touch... she wouldn't really be a momma without a little bit).
But, it only took Porter a couple of days before he was back to himself...it's hard to keep that kid down for long.

On the lighter side of things, we got smiles out of Bridger that weekend! Not just sleepy little smiles, but big wide awake smiles! It doesn't get much better than seeing a cute little guy like this smile. And the fact that he smiles at me makes me smile back.
It was a good weekend in Moab, the ride home was a little bumpy, but Moab was good.
Thanks for taking us in Gramma and Grampa!